Berrien ready for round 3

June 12, 2006|BOB OPPENHEIM Tribune Staff Writer

Game three with much higher stakes will take place this Tuesday when No. 3 ranked Berrien Springs (33-6) faces No. 8 Grandville Calvin Christian (22-10) in a Division 3 baseball state quarterfinal game at Grand Rapids Christian High School. On May 20, the Shamrocks and Squires split a doubleheader with Grandville winning the opener, 4-1, and Berrien Springs winning game two, 3-2 in 10 innings. Shamrocks coach Donley came away impressed with the Squires. "I told their coach as soon as I called in the rankings that they were going to be ranked," said Donley. "I think Grandville Calvin Christian is the best team that we've played this year, by far." Calvin Christian is playing in the state quarterfinals for first time since 2002, while Berrien Springs is past the regionals for the first time since 2001. The Squires beat Lansing Catholic Central, 8-2, in a regional final and blanked Allendale, 3-0, in the regional semifinal. Calvin Christian shortstop Kyle Klifman went 5-for-7 with two doubles to lead the Squires offensively on Saturday at the regionals. Pitcher Matt Veltema tossed a four-hit shutout against Allendale and came in relief during the seventh inning of the regional final and got a double play to get out of a bases-loaded jam. Berrien Springs' strength is its pitching and the Shamrocks look rested and ready in that department. Kolby Wood tossed a two-hitter and struck out eight in going the distance in Berrien Springs' 8-1 regional semifinal win over Watervliet. In the Shamrocks 10-0 regional final win over Parchment, Shelby Wood hurled a two hitter in his five-inning complete game. "Shelby has been consistent all season," Donley said. "Kolby looked better (at the regional). I still don't think Kolby is throwing like he can or he will eventually." Kolby Wood now stands at 9-2 with a 1.08 ERA, while Shelby Wood is 8-1 with a 1.20 ERA. Berrien Springs didn't even have to use at the regional its other standout pitcher-Chris Hass (6-1, 0.71 ERA, 3 saves). "Aside from winning, the biggest benefit (at the regionals) was not having to pitch Chris Hass and Shelby pitched only five innings," Donley said. "Kolby is pretty well cooked for Tuesday, but Chris Hass is fully rested and Shelby is not in bad shape. That's big." Shelby Wood is also excelling with his bat. At the regional, he totaled six hits and seven RBIs. "Shelby, at the plate and on the mound, he's as steady as they come," Donley said. Division 4 Playing in the regionals for the first time since 1978, Lake Michigan Catholic posted a pair of wins over Decatur (8-1) and Martin (8-7) to move on to the state quarterfinals. The Lakers (22-7) face Centreville (27-3) on Tuesday at Comstock High School. The Bulldogs defeated Climax-Scotts, 1-0, and Reading, 8-3, in regional action on Saturday. Centreville is making its second straight appearance in the state quarterfinals. Last year, eventual state champion New Buffalo beat the Bulldogs, 9-5.